We caught up with Hendrik Sievert of Carnival Fever about Berlin Carnival and WHY we should go. Here is what he had to say.

Who is Hendrik Sievert?

Hendrik is a DJ from Belin who loves and plays soca music. He is a part of Carnival Fever from Berlin. He has also DJ’ed in the UK:
• on UK Chocolate Nations Truck Carnival Sunday,
• at What A Feeling (DJ Tate)
• and at the Bajan Revelers Thank You party.

He knows the music, understands the vibe and embraces the Caribbean Culture.

1. How long has Berlin Carnival been running for?

The Berlin Carnival of Cultures exists since 1996. Berlin is a city with a large international population and the idea of the carnival is to represent the cultural and ethnic diversity of Berlin.

Our band with the yard/escobar truck has been on the road for six years in a row.

2. When did the Caribbean influence start at Berlin Carnival?

There has always been Caribbean influenced trucks at the carnival parade.

There were several trucks and bands on the road in the last years. Some smaller, some bigger. We don´t claim to be a Caribbean truck and we don´t represent a specific island. We´re just playing the music we love.

We try to bring over artists that we want to see and organise a truck / band which is open to everybody. No matter where you´re coming from, everybody is welcome.

3. Do you think Berlin Carnival will become as big as Notting Hill Carnival?

Actually it´s pretty big. In 2011 Berlin carnival had 1.36 million visitors at the street festival and the parade.

Berlin Carnival is different to Notting Hill because we don´t have that huge population of caribbean people in Berlin. The Berlin Carnival has groups from all different continents. Also the Berlin club and music scene is represented with some trucks.

4. Why do you think we (the UK) should come over to Berlin for the Carnival?

Berlin is an open minded city and everybody who came over from the UK in the last years enjoyed themselves to the max.

Maybe you dont expect big soca fetes and a mas band on the road in the middle of Germany but if you give Berlin a chance you definitely won´t regret it.

Maybe the carnival is different to Notting Hill or Labour Day but we do the best we can with all our love, dedication and work we put in it to give everybody a good time.

5. How long have you been playing soca music?

I was always into different kinds of music and started playing soca in a dj collective called “mashup crew” in 2005.

6. What is your favourite soca song of the year so far?

If you talking about the Trinidad 2012 season I think my favourite groovy tune is “Coming Over” by Kes. When it comes to up-tempo I would go with Bunji´s “Born Ready”.

Thank you Hendrik for taking the time to talk to us and share the History of Berlin carnival.

If you are interested in going to Berlin Carnival 2012 you can find out more information over on this page.

If you have a question for Hendrik feel free to ask them in the comment area.

UKSS Team